Automatic wall-paper exhibitor or advertiser



Aug. 31, 1926.

' J. A. NICKERSON AUTOMATIC WALL PAPER EXHIBITOR 0R ADVERTISER FiledJune 9. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' A 0 K 4 m W L Ky MM 32 a f mml 1 a" 2 liINVENTOR:

ATTORNEY.

z- 31, 1926, 1,598,496. a J. A. NICKERsoN AUTOMATIC WALL PAPER EXHIBITOR0R ADVERTISER Filed June 9, 1923 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 31,was.

unites stars-s JAMES A. NICKEBSON, F INDIANAIPOLIS, INDIANA.

AUTOMATEC VIALL-PAPEIFL Application filed J1 is This invention relatesto a machine for holding samples of wall paper, or sheets containingadvertisements and automatically shifting them to bring themsuccessively to view, the invention having reference more particularlyto hingedly supported wi gs or frames for holding the samples or sheets,and to mechanism for automatically shitting or turning the wings orframes so that the two sides thereof may be alter nately viewed.

[in object of the invention to provide an automatic exhibitor whichshall be so constructed as to compactly hold a large numoer of sheets ofpaper or other sub stance, to be exhibited to prospective customers orothers without the necessity of constant attendance of a salesman ordemonstrator.

Another object is to provide simple and compact mechanism whereby tomove hingedly supported wings first in one direction successively andsubsequently in the opposite direction, to alternately bring both sitesof the wings into view and thus afford the maximum advertising space.

A. further object is to provide improved mechanism for periodicallyswinging hingedly supported wings on which paper or other sheets may bedisplayed, which mechanism may be so constructed to permit removal ofany of the wings and the application of other wings having differentsamples or sheets to be exhibited.

i still "further object is to provide an exhihitor of theabove-mentioned character which shall be so constructed as to be adaptedto be placed in salesrooms or store windows and as a portableelectrically operated apparatus that may be readily moved from. place toplace, and which shall be adapted to he inexpensively constructed and bedurable and economical in use.

lYith the above-mentioned and other objeets in view, tile inventionconsists in an auto ically acting exhibiting machine havin improveddisplay wings and also novel operating; and controlling mechanism,operating to sh ft samples or advertising sheets inteiv ittently andpermit each one to be seen a suiiicientlv long time to be insoccted orread; and the invention consists also further in the parts andcombinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafterparticularlydescribed and further defined in the cl 1 appended hereto.

EXHIBITGR OR ADVERTESEB.

1923. Serial No. Ga l/88.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of theexhibitor as preferably constructed, all but two of the wings thereofbeing omitted in the interest of clearness; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary topplan of the improved machine; 3 is a fragmentary detail on an enlargedscale, showa number of associated parts, looking upward to clearly seethe mode of operation of the wings; at is a fragmentary perspective viewon an enlarged scale, showing de is of the wing structure; Fig. 5 is afragmentary transverse vertical section of machine, showing particularlythe hinging connections of the improved wing; Fig.

5 is a fragmentary side view of the machine showing operating apparatusthereof; Fi '7 is a fragn'ientary section showing details on an enlarg dscale comprised in the wingoperating mechanism; Fig. 8 is a longitudinalsectional view, partially broken away, showing a compound transmissionshaft for reversing the motion of the machine; 9 a fragn'ientary rearelevation of the machine on an enlarged scale; Fig. 10 is a verticalsection transversely of the machine on an enlarged scaleillustratassociated. elements of controlling apparatus appearing inelevation in the preceding Figure; and, Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view onthe line XIXI in Fig. 10.

Similar reference characters in the different figures of the drawingsindicate corresponding elements or features of construction hereinreferred to in detail.

The invention as prefenbly constructed comprises two foot or basemembers 1 and 2 which vertically support two posts 3 4. to which lowerrail 5 is connected adjacent to the foot i'nembers. A frame beam 6 issecured to the upper portions of the posts. lhe lower rail has a ledge 7fixed on its forward side to bodily support the wings and it has pivotholes 8 therein to l'GC-GtVQ- hinge-pins or pivots. An upper rail 9secured to the upper portions of the posts and has aface plate 10 on itsforward edge, the rail preferably being composed of two thicknesses ofmetal.

A suitable number of wings or leaves are provided which preterably arecomposed of hiz-weight material such a fiber board or other veneeringbody part 11 and a metallic edge binding 12. The lower rear corner ofeach wing has a hinge ear 13 thereon provided with a hinge-pin it thatextends and into one of the pin holes 3. The upper rearward corner ofeach wing is provided with a. novel hinge ear and hollow operating levercombined which comprises two side plates 15 and 16 fixed to andprojecting bcyond the binding 12, and a top plate 17 integral with theside plates and arranged under the upper bar 9, the top plate 17 havinga hinge-pin 13 fixed thereto that is con nected with the rail 9, thearrangement be ing such that the wing when extended straight forward isslightly tilted with its end slightly higher than the plane of the ledgeY, to insure gravit movement of the Wing after having been swung from astended or mid-position. In some cases each wing has side guide framebars 19 and 20 and a bottom stop liar 2-1 to receive and hold anadvertising card on the face of the wing; and permit, the card to bereadily withdrawn to be replaced by another, especially for advertisingpurposes, to obviate he necessity of pasting; or otherwise secur mg theadvertising sheet to the wing.

A guide-bar 22 and a screw 23 are nounted in parallel arrangement in theupper portions of the posts 3 and l, the bar being; stationary and thescrew suitably journal ed in and extending; through the posts. Atraveler head Qi is slidingly guided on the guide bar and is threaded asa nut on the screw. The head has a horizontal guide bore 25 therein inthe rear end of which a plug secured which resists a. spring 27 arrangedin the bore and engaging the inner end of a finger bar 28 to normallyproject it from the bore to engage the lever port-ions of the wings, andis yieldingz ly held by the spri in proj cted position permit-tingretraction of the bar when not properly a wing lover. The screw 23 has apulley '29 fixed on one of its journals to rotate the screw in onedirection, and a pulley 30 fixed on the remaining journal to rotate thescrew in the reverse direction.

A solid shaft 31 is arrangeo rotatably in two hollow clutch shafts 32and 33 that are rotatably mounted on the rearward sides of the posts 3and i, so as to not have endwise movement. The shai't 32 has a pulleyfixed tl ereto, and a belt connected with the pulley and also with thepulley 29. A pulley 36 is fixed to the shaft 33 and a belt 37 isconnected therewith and also in crossed arrangement with the pulley Theshaft 31 extends out beyond the pulley 36 and has a pulley 38 securedthereto. A bracket 39 is secured to the post i and supports an electricmotor 4-0 that has a driving' sh aft ll to which a pulley is secured,and a belt 43 is connected with the pulley and also with the pulley 38,whereby the shat 31 is constantly rotated in one direction. A clutchsleeve a l is slidingly arranged on the sha-tt 31 and is shorter thanthe distance between the sleeve having a lon into which a driv- L "hatis secured to the sh f' 3]., cnablingthe latter to constantly .ate thesleere. The inner end of the hollow shaft has a clutch tooth l-T thereonwhich may be engaged by a clutch tooth which the adjacent end of the isprovided; the sh it 33 is prowith a clutch tooth which may be ged by aclutch tooth with which the adj a cent end of the sleeve ii-Kl isprovided, and the sleeve a di l-shapcd collar 51 fixed on the n'iiddleportion thereof whereby to shift the sleeve so as to clutch the shaft 31alternately with the sha'ts 32 and I}; to roti'ite'the hollow shafts,the shaft 32 cansing the screw 23 to be rotated in one direction and theshaft belt 3'? causing the screw to opposite direct-ion.

For causing the clutch sleeve lat to be operated and reliably a shiftinglever base 53; secured to the back of the frame incin- 6 and is providedwith a centrally arrang pivot rod to whicu a shifting by means of thecrossed rotated in the 1 I be lever 5 is connected bet-ween its ends,the lever e iding upward and having connecting re a 55 and 56 pivotedthereto to extend away in opposite directions and they are pivotallyconnecteo to collars and 58 respectively, which are mounted to slide onthe guide bar 22 so as to be alternately aged by the traveler head 2-The shi l'tii p; lever extends downward beyond its pivot and has alinger to engage one side and another linger (30 to engage the oppositeside of the collar 51 as the lever is moved automatically in operation.The base has bearing rollers (31 and G2 monster therein above and belowthe pivot rod respectively, and the back of the lever has wedgesl apcdportions (33 and (E i: to engage the rollers, being; forced. intocontact therewith by a coil spring hearingat one end against the leverand. extending about the pivot rod which a nut (36 is secured to t thetension of the spring, the arrangement being such that as the lever Siis being moved slightly bevond its mid-position the wedge portions ainstthe l r LlOl'S cause su slcn forward movement of the lever to the extentits travel. Pre'iiciabiv the spring; an associated parts are coves-ed ba cap (3"? that screwed onto the end of thpivot rot The base has twoabutn'ients GS ed at suitable and they support inces f a screws and Tlrespectively. against which the lever is stopped alt each rockingmovement.

F or the purpose of 'n'l'orinina" observers to which of. the p to bemoved in operation a sui pointer is provided which may comprise a plate72 secured upon the traveler head 24: and having a stem 73 thereon whichsupports a suitable body portion 7% which may represent a bust figure ofa man having a head 75 and an arm 76, the latter extending downwardlyand forwardly of the face plate 10 and having a hand 77 thereon providedwith an extended linger 7S pointingdownward, the position of the fingerbeing such as to always be approximately above the wing next to beturned.

In practical use samples of wall paper or sheets having; decorationsthereon, or paintings or printed sheets are placed on the tacos of thewin ig's where they may be advan taggeously observed. Electric currentmay be variously supplied to the motor whicii operation drives the belt$3, the pulley and the shaft 31 which in turn rotates the sleeve i l.V/hen the sleeve is clutched J the hollow shaft 32 the shaft 31 rotatesin the shaft 33, and the screw is rotated in one direction by the belton the pull q 29 and 34:, as represented in Fig. 9, the flltt 33 beingidly rotated in the opposite dire tion by means of the crossed belt 37being driven by the screw. The traveler head in its movement comes intocontact with the collar 57 and pushes it along the guide bar 22 untilthe shitting lever 54 is drawn past its midposition, the lever being i"thrust forward as above-explai stopped, and during its movement "1eitngger G0 is brought into engagement with collar 51 and forces thesleeve 1-4- over clutching); one ment with the shaft 31 indicated bydotted lines in Fie 9, so that reversingoccurs w driving: the shaft andcausing; the pulley 36 to drive in reverse driection, leaving the shafti be idly rotated by the screw or the its the linger bar 28 is carriedalon the traveler head 52-1: towards the ends 0 plates and 16 on thewings, the pl being extended angular-1y towards the approachingg fingerbar, the latter engages the plate that is the nearer to the screw andswings the wine; on its hinges until the w ne is carried around to theopposite lgle wi 21 the finger bar between the two plates on V the baris carried away from and beyond the plate with which it had contact, theaction being readily und erstoo'd by reference to Fig. 3. in case theleaves are carelessly placed .i: the machine without reference ttheposition of the traveler head, a; linger bar is carried against theouter of one of the plates 15 or 16 imo for operation, the linger barwill the plate and be forced backward damag; to the parts until carried'5. obstrn tion. When the leaves her turned over in one direction andrever the screw 23 occurs the leaves are turned in succession in theopposite face alone of each leaf as it is brought to view. What I claimas new 1 1. An automatic exhibitor including wings having ears hingedlysupporing the wings, each wing having a projecting hollow 01 ratinglever, a reversible rotary screw ad acent to. all the leaves, and aguided traveler head operating on the screw and l'iavinga projectinginner to successsively enter and operate tne operating levers.

2. An automatic exhibitor including rotatablgy supported screw, wingshaving each an ear liingedly supported acjacent to the screw and havingalso an operating lever provided with two opposite plates at the ear, aguided traveler head engaged and operated l y the screw and having afinger go and operate one of the plates the operating levers, andmechanism controlled by the traveler head to rotate and reverse themotion of the screw.

An automatic exhibitor including hing supported wings having each anoper lever, each lever having a hollow end, able reversible screw havingtwo i it drive v eels lined thereto, a guise bar station' f i'ysupported adjacent to the screw, traveler head operated by the screw anduided on the guide bar provided with a to successively enter the hollowends to operate t" 0 operating levers, and mechanism to rotate the drivewheels alternately in opposite directions.

fan 2 tton'iatic othibitor including ng hingecly supporting the i ghavinr' a projecting hollow re vcrsibie rotary screw ad- -vers, a guidebar fixedly the screw, and a it uig'i guided on the guide ie screw, thetraveler with aspring pressed sorted wings, a slidably guidel leans toenable'tie head to j the wings, a rotatably enga and operating the toescrew alt osite directions, and a i l open the traveler head and havieon directed towards the v. y in advance of their sv. Qicnts.

6 n automatic exhibitor including Wings ha. hi sly supported ears, onecar on e v 'n provided with an operating:

, of two plates projecting from l rotary screw adqacent. and a guidedtraveler head lIli) ill) operating on the screw and provided with annger bar to be carried successively into the spaces between the platesof the operating levers and into Contact with the plate ahead of thebar.

*7. An automatic exhibitor including a plurality of vertical hingedlysupported wings, each wing having a hollow operating lever at the topthereof, a reversible horizontally arranged screw rotatably supportedadjacent to the operating levers a traveler head engaged and operated bythe screw and provided with a projecting yielding finger bar tosuccessively enter and move the hollow operating levers, and a suppor edguide bar engaged by the traveler head to )revent rotation of the headwith the screw.

8. n automatic exhibitor including wings having hingedly supported ears,one ear on 7 ch wing being provided with an operating lever having twoengagement members exending from the car, a reversible rotary screwadjacent to tne levers, and a guided traveler head operated by the screwand provided with a projecting retractiblc finger bar to be cared intoengagement successively with one of the members of the operating leversto operate the levers when operable or to be. etracted by the other ofthe members of the lovers when not in operable position.

9. An automatic exhibitor including a rotatably supported screw havingtwo pulleys fixed thereto, wings having each an ear hingedly supportedadjacent to the screw and having also an operating lever at the car, aguiced traveler head engaged and operated by the screw, the head beingprovided with a projecting finger bar to successi.'ely engage andoperate the levers, a transmission shaft rotatably suppor ed andprovided wit driving pulleys belted ren two verscly to pulleysrespectively on the screw. 9 .l clutch mechanism controlled by thtraveler head to clutch the driving pulleys alternatel to thetransmission shaft.

10. An automatic exhibitor including a plura of vertical l'iingedlysupported a horizontal rotatable screw, a guided connected with andoperated head by the screw, means operated by the traveier he d tosuccessively swing the wings, a horizontal rotatable transmission shaft,two hollow shafts rotatable on the transm sion I means to enable one ofthe nv shirts to rotate the screw in one dimeans to enable the other ofthe hollow to rotate the screw in the reverse direction, and meanscontrolled by the trz-weler head to alternately clutch the hollow shaftsto the tra' sinission shaft.

an automatic exhibitor including a plurality of vertical hingcdlysupported wings. c ."l; wing being provided with two operating levermembers, a screw horizon tally arranged rotatably in proximity to theupper portions of the wings and having two driven pulleys fixed theretoa guide bar supported adjacentto the screw, a traveler head connectedwith the screw to be operated thereby and having contact with the guidebar, a finger carried by the traveler head to successively operatebetween, the lever members to swing the wings, and mechanism forrotating and reversing the screw comprising two alternately rotateddrivin pulleys, an open belt connected with one of the driving pulleysand one of the driven pulleys, and a crossed belt connected with theremaining one of the driving pulleys and the remaining one of the drivenpulleys.

12. An automatic exhibitor comprising an upright frame having a bracketon its rear portion and hingesupporting rails on its front portion, eachrail being horizontal and having a plurality of pin-holes therein, aplurality of wings provided with hinge pins arranged in the pin-holes ofsaid rails, the wings being uprightly arranged opposite to the front ofthe frame, a screw horizontally journaled on the upper portion of theframe, two driven pulleys secured to the screw beyond the opposite sidesrespectively of the frame, a guide bar horizontally arranged adjacent tothe screw and secured to the frame, a traveler head threaded on thescrew to be moved thereby and having contact for guidance on the guidebar, means operated by the traveler head to successively wing the wings,a transmission shaft having two hollow shafts spaced apart and rotatablethereon, the hollow shafts being rotatably supported on the rear portionof the frame and having each a driving pulley thereon, two beltsconnected with the driving pulleys respectively and with the drivenpulleys respectively, one ofv the belts being in open and the othercrossed arrangement, a clutch sleeve splined on the transmission shaftbetween the hollow shafts and having a collar fixed thereon, the twoends of the sleeve being adapted to be clutched alternately to thehollow shafts, a shifter lever pivoted on the rear portion of the frameand having two fingers to contact alternately with opposite sidesrespectively ofthe collar on said sleeve, two slide collars guided onsaid horizontal guide bar to be alternately moved by the traveler head,two linl: rods pivoted to the slide collars respectively and to theshifter lover, a transmission pulley secured to the transmission shaft,and a motor mounted on said bracket and having a driving pulley beltedto said transmission pulley.

13. In an automatic exhibitor, the combination of hingedly supportedwings, a hori zontal guide bar, a horizontal transmission shaft andconnecting means to transmit motion alternately in opposite directions,said means including a movable clutch sleeve having a disk fixedthereto, a rotatable screw operated by said means, two slide collarsmovable separately on said guide rod, a traveler head operated by saidscrew be tween said collars to swing said wings, a pivoted shifter leverlinked to said collars and having fingers to alternately engage saiddisk, and means to automatically complete movement of the shifter leverfollow ing starting movement by action of either of the slide collars.

14, In an automatic exhibitor, the combination with an upright frame,and a plurality of vertical wings hingedly connected to the front of theframe, of a horizontal screw rotatably supported on the upper portion ofthe frame, a traveler head threaded on the screw and movable thereby,means operated by the traveler head to successively swing the wings,transmission gearing on the back of the frame operatively connected withthe screw to rotate the screw alternately in opposite directions, thegearing including a movable clutch sleeve having a disk fixed thereon, ahorizontal guide bar secured to the frame adjacent to the screw andguiding the traveler head, two

slide collars movable on the guide bar on opposite sides respectively ofthe traveler head, a base secured to the back of the frame, a pivot rodsecured to the base, a shifter lever connected to the pivot rod andhaving two fingers adjacent to opposite sides respectively of said disk,the back of the lever having two wedge portions above and below thepivot rod, two bearing rollers mounted in said base above and below thepivot rod, a coil spring on said pivot rod bearing on the shifter lever,a nut on the pivot rod bearing on the spring, and two link rods pivotedto the slide collars respectively and to the shifter lever.

15. An automatic exhibitor including a rotatably supported screw, wings,each having an ear hingedly supported adjacent to the screw, each ofsaid ears having two opposite plates, a guided traveler head engaged andoperated back and forth by said screw and having a finger bar to engageand operate one of said plates to turn the wings.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature on the 29th day of May, 1923.

JAMES A. NIGKERSON.

